WO2006098186A1

WO2006098186A1 - Connection notifying device, connection notifying method, connection notifying program and recording medium

Info

Publication number: WO2006098186A1
Application number: PCT/JP2006/304342
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yasuyuki Noda
Original assignee: Pioneer Corporation
Priority date: 2005-03-16
Filing date: 2006-03-07
Publication date: 2006-09-21
Also published as: JP2008139902A

Abstract

A detecting section (111) detects a change of a connecting status of a device (130) externally connected with a connecting section (120) through a network (121) or a change of a connecting status of the network (121). A judging section (112) judges whether to perform notification corresponding to the change of the connecting status, based on the number of changes of the connecting status detected by the detecting section (111). Then, a notification information output section (113) outputs information relating to notification corresponding to the change of the connecting status, based on the judgment results of the judging section (112). A notifying section (114) performs notification corresponding to the change of the connecting status, based on the information outputted from the notification information output section (113). The notifying section (114) may be provided in the device (130) externally connected through the network (121).

Description

Specification

Connection notification device, connection notification method, connection notification program, and recording medium

The present invention relates to a connection notification device, a connection notification method, a connection notification program, and a recording medium for notifying connection between devices. However, the use of the present invention is not limited to the connection notification device, the connection notification method, the connection notification program, and the recording medium described above.

Background art

Conventionally, an IEEE1394 (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers 1394) standard serial bus (hereinafter referred to as IEEE1394 bus) that can easily connect and disconnect a plurality of devices has been widely used. IEEE1394 is a digital interface capable of high-speed data transfer. Up to 63 devices can be daisy chained or tree-connected, and transfer rates of 100 Mbps, 200 Mbps, 400 Mbps, etc. are standardized. Connected devices can be connected and disconnected while the device is operating (hot plug function), and there is no need to perform complicated operations such as setting operations when connecting devices.

[0003] Connection according to the IEEE1394 standard does not require a PC as a host, and communication between devices is possible. In addition, high-speed data transfer can be performed. For this reason, dubbing images taken with a digital video camera to a digital video deck can be used!

[0004] On the other hand, since the devices can be easily connected and disconnected, the devices may be disconnected at an inappropriate time. For example, if the connection is lost while a process is being executed or reserved, the process may not be possible. For this reason, a communication route between devices that are in use or reserved for use is detected, and if a device on the communication route is disconnected, a disconnect notification is sent to the user to confirm that the communication route is disconnected. Technology to prevent it has been devised (for example, see Patent Document 1 below) o

[0005] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 00Z70829 Pamphlet

Disclosure of the invention Problems to be solved by the invention

[0006] However, according to the above-described conventional technology, it is impossible to distinguish whether the disconnection from the connected device is due to the user's intention or due to an accident, and the connected device cannot be distinguished. A disconnect notification is always sent when disconnected. In the case of disconnection by the user's will, disconnection notification is often unnecessary, and there is a problem that appropriate notification cannot be performed.

[0007] When the connection / disconnection of the connected device is frequently performed, the disconnection notification is also frequently performed. For this reason, the problem that the convenience of being able to easily connect and disconnect between devices is reduced.

[0008] Further, disconnection notification is performed by detecting a communication route between devices in use or reserved for use. For this reason, one problem is that it is impossible to notify the user that a connected device that has not been used or reserved for use has been disconnected.

Means for solving the problem

[0009] In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the connection notification device according to the invention of claim 1 detects a change in a connection state of a device or a network externally connected to a connection unit via a network. Detecting means for determining, based on the number of changes in the connection state detected by the detecting means, a determination means for determining whether or not to perform notification corresponding to the change in the connection state, and a determination by the determination means And a notification information output means for outputting information related to notification corresponding to the change in the connection state based on the result.

[0010] Further, the connection notification method according to the invention of claim 11 includes a detection step of detecting a change in a connection state of a device or the network externally connected to a connection unit via a network, and the detection step. A determination step for determining whether to perform notification corresponding to the change in the connection state based on the number of changes in the connection state, and a change in the connection state based on a determination result of the determination step. A notification information output step of outputting information related to the corresponding notification.

[0011] A connection notification program according to the invention of claim 12 is the connection notification according to claim 11. Making the computer execute the intelligent method.

[0012] Further, a recording medium according to the invention of claim 13 is readable by a computer in which the connection notification program according to claim 12 is recorded.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0013] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a connection notification device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of connection notification processing performed by the connection notification device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a network configuration of the connection notification apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a connection notification device.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of connected device information stored in a connected device information storage unit.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of cutting information stored in a cutting information storage unit.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen for a disconnection notification performed by a notification unit.

[FIG. 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of connection notification processing performed by the connection notification device.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a selection screen for determining whether or not to perform disconnection notification.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when updating the number of times of cutting information.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a hardware configuration of the connection notification apparatus according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of terminal information stored in a terminal information storage unit.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of cutting information stored in a cutting information storage unit.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of connection notification processing performed by the connection notification device.

Explanation of symbols

[0014] 100 connection notification device

111 Detector 112 Judgment part

113 Information output part

114 Notification unit

115 Identification part

116 Acquisition Department

120 connections

121 network

130 Equipment

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Exemplary embodiments of a connection notification device, a connection notification method, a connection notification program, and a recording medium according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0016] (Embodiment)

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a connection notification device according to the embodiment. A connection notification device 100 according to the embodiment includes a detection unit 111, a determination unit 112, a notification information output unit 113, a notification unit 114, an identification unit 115, and an acquisition unit 116. The detection unit 111 detects a change in the connection state of the device 130 or the network 121 that is externally connected to the connection unit 120 via the network 121. For example, the detection unit 111 detects a change in the connection state based on the presence / absence of a signal from the device 130.

The connection state is a state in which two or more devices (for example, the connection notification device 100 and the device 130) are connected via the network 121. The change in the connection state is, for example, the attachment / detachment of the network interface to / from the connection unit 120 when the device 130 is attached to the network, and the device when the connection notification device 100 is attached to the network 121. For example, a network interface is attached to or detached from 130 (attachment 'removal), or a failure occurs in the network 121 (for example, disconnection of a connection cable connecting the connection notification device 100 and the device 130). That is, even if the network interface is attached to or detached from the connection unit 120 when the device 130 is not attached to the network 121, the connection state does not change.

Here, the connection unit 120 is provided outside the connection notification device 100 in FIG. The connection notification device 100 may be provided inside. The connection unit 120 and the network 121 may be detachable from each other in accordance with the IEEE1394 standard. In the case of the IEEE 1394 standard, the detection unit 111 can detect individual connection states of a plurality of devices connected via the network 121. Even when a plurality of devices are connected to the connection unit 120 via the plurality of networks 121, it is possible to detect a change in the connection state of the network 121 if there are a plurality of devices connected via the network 121. Is possible. For example, a plurality of devices 130 can be connected in cascade to a plurality of networks 121 to detect individual connection states.

Based on the number of changes in the connection state detected by the detection unit 111, the determination unit 112 determines whether to perform notification corresponding to the change in the connection state of the device 130. For example, the determination unit 112 stores the number of times the change in the connection state of the device 130 or the network 121 is detected by the detection unit 111, and does not perform subsequent notification when the predetermined number of times is reached. And so on. In addition, when the number of times the change in the connection state of the device 130 or the network 121 is detected exceeds a predetermined value, the user is allowed to select whether or not to make a notification corresponding to the change in the connection state of the device 130. Please do it.

[0020] Broadcast information output section 113 outputs information related to broadcast corresponding to a change in connection state based on the determination result by determination section 112. Information related to notification is, for example, device name information of the device 130 whose connection state has changed, or information on the frequency of change of the connection state. In addition, the information may be in a format that can be output by voice or video by the notification unit 114 described later.

The notification unit 114 performs notification corresponding to the change in connection state based on the information output from the notification information output unit 113. The notification by the notification unit 114 is performed, for example, by displaying a warning screen, a warning by sound, lighting of an indicator lamp, etc., and confirming that the connection with the device 130 is disconnected or the connection with the device 130 is started. Inform. The notification unit 113 may be provided not only in the connection notification device 100 but also in a device externally connected from the connection unit 120 via the network 121.

The identification unit 115 identifies the device 130 connected to the network 121 for each device. Knowledge The identification by the separate unit 115 is performed, for example, by extracting the unique ID information of the device included in the signal output from the device 130. When the identification unit 115 identifies the device 130, the detection unit 111 detects a change in the connection state for each device 130 identified by the identification unit 115. Based on the number of changes in the connection state of each device 130 detected by the detection unit 111, the determination unit 112 determines whether to perform notification corresponding to the connection of the device 130.

The acquisition unit 116 acquires the elapsed time that has elapsed since the device 130 was connected to the connection unit 120 via the network 121. Acquisition of the elapsed time by the acquisition unit 116 is performed, for example, by recording the time when the detection unit 111 detects that the device 130 is attached and calculating the difference from the current time.

[0024] When the elapsed time is acquired by the acquisition unit 116, the determination unit 112 determines whether the device 130 is connected based on the elapsed time acquired by the acquisition unit 116 and the number of changes in the connection state of the device 130. It is determined whether or not notification corresponding to a change in state is performed. For example, even when the number of changes in the connection state of the device 130 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, if the elapsed time acquired by the acquisition unit 116 is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, a notification corresponding to the change in the connection status is performed. Judge.

[0025] When the connection unit 120 includes a plurality of connection terminals, the detection unit 111 detects a change in the connection state of the device 130 for each of the plurality of connection terminals, and the determination unit 112 detects the detection unit 111. Based on the number of changes in the connection state of the device 130 for each of the plurality of connection terminals detected by, it is determined whether or not notification corresponding to the change in the connection state of the device 130 is to be performed. At this time, the determination may be further made based on the number of changes in the connection state of each device 130 identified by the identification unit 115.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of connection notification processing performed by the connection notification device. In the connection notification device 100, first, the detection unit 111 detects a change in the connection state of the device 130 or the network 121 (step S201). Next, the determination unit 112 determines whether to perform notification corresponding to the change in the connection state based on the number of changes in the connection state detected by the detection unit 111 (step S202). This determination can be made, for example, by preventing subsequent notifications when the number of changes in the connection state reaches a predetermined number, For example, when the number of changes in the connection state exceeds a predetermined value, the user can select whether or not to perform notification corresponding to the change in the connection state.

If it is determined in step S202 that notification is to be performed (step S202: Yes), the notification information output unit 113 outputs information related to notification corresponding to a change in connection state (step S203). Then, the notification unit 114 performs notification corresponding to the change in the connection state based on the information output from the notification information output unit 113! (Step S204), and the processing according to this flowchart is terminated. On the other hand, when it is not determined that notification is to be performed (step S202: No), the processing according to this flow chart is terminated without performing notification corresponding to the change in the connection state.

[0028] As described above, according to the connection notification device 100, when there is a change in the connection state of the device 130 or the network 121, a notification corresponding to the change in the connection state based on the number of changes in the connection state. It is possible to make a notification corresponding to a change in the connection state after determining whether to perform the connection. This makes it possible to notify when appropriate, and to change the connection state of the device not intended by the user without reducing the convenience of the device having a connection part that can easily change the connection state. Can be notified.

Example 1

[0029] (Network configuration of connection notification device)

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a network configuration of the connection notification apparatus according to the first embodiment. The connection notification device according to the first embodiment is provided in the TV 301. An HDD recorder 302, a DVD recorder 303, and portable audio players 304 (304a, 304b) are connected to the TV 301. The TV 301 has an IEEE1394 terminal, and the HDD recorder 302, the DVD recorder 303, and the portable audio player 304a are connected to the TV 301 via IEEE1394 cables 311a to 311c.

In addition, the portable audio player 304b is connected to the HDD recorder 302 via the IEEE1394 cable 31 Id! For connection using the IEEE 1394 cable 311, for example, the TV 301 and the portable audio player 304 b are connected via another device (HDD recorder 302)! Individual changes in connection status of player 304b and IEEE1394 cable 31 Id be able to. Hereinafter, the term “connected device” refers to the HDD recorder 302, the DVD recorder 303, the portable audio player 304, or any one of them.

[0031] The remote controller 305 is used by the user to operate the TV 301. The TV 301 receives a control signal from the remote controller 305 by a light receiving unit (not shown), and performs processing according to the control signal. Data is transmitted and received between the remote control 305 and the TV 301 by infrared communication.

The TV 301 operates as a controller for the entire connected device, and controls the HDD recorder 302, the DVD recorder 303, and the portable audio player 304. The TV 301 receives program data transmitted from a broadcasting station and is based on the program data!ヽ Output video and audio. In addition, it outputs video and audio of program data reproduced by an HDD recorder 302 and a DVD recorder 303, which will be described later, and outputs audio data of music data reproduced by the portable audio player 304.

[0033] The HDD recorder 302 records the program data received by the TV 301 and stores the recorded data in the built-in HDD. It also plays the recorded data stored in the HDD and outputs it to the TV 301. The DVD recorder 303 records the program data received by the TV 301 and records the recorded data on the DVD. It also plays the recorded data recorded on the DVD and outputs it to the TV301. The portable audio player 304 stores music data and outputs the stored music as voice. Data input / output between these devices is performed via IEEE1394 cables 311a to 311d.

[0034] In the following embodiments, the power connection method using the IEEE1394 bus is not limited to the connection of the TV 301 and its connected devices. For example, USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection, etc. It may be.

[0035] (Hardware configuration of connection notification device)

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the connection notification device. The connection notification device 400 includes a CPU 410, a connection IZF unit 411, a connected device information storage unit 412, a disconnection information storage unit 413, a time measurement unit 414, and a notification unit 415. In the following, the connection notification device 400 is disconnected from the device as a notification corresponding to a change in the connection state of the device. A disconnect notification for notifying the disconnection shall be performed.

[0036] The CPU 410 of the connected device controls processing of the entire connection notification device 400. The connection iZF unit 411 is an I / F of the IEEE1394 bus, and is used for connection to the HDD recorder 302, the DVD recorder 303, and the portable audio player 304.

[0037] The connected device information storage unit 412 is connected to the connection I and F unit 411 !, and also includes the node ID of the connected device, the EUI-64 (Extended Unique Identifier 64) of the connected device, and the connection start time. Stores connected device information. The node ID is an ID that is assigned in order from 0 to all nodes (in this case, connected devices) when a bus reset occurs on the IEEE1394 bus. EUI-64 is a unique 64-bit ID assigned to each device since the time of manufacture.

[0038] Here, the bus reset occurs when a change occurs in the network configuration of the IEEE1394 bus. For example, when a new device is physically connected to the network by a cable and the power is turned on, or when the connected device is turned off or the cable is disconnected Occurs in some cases. In such a case, a no reset signal is generated, the network interface is initialized, and node IDs are assigned to all connected devices.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of connected device information stored in the connected device information storage unit. In the illustrated example, node HD information 501, EUI-64 information 502, and connection start time information 503 are stored as information related to one connected device. In the illustrated example, four connected devices with node IDs “0” to “3” are connected. For example, a connected device with EUI-64 “0xl23456789ABCDEF0” is connected to the node ID “0”. In addition, the connection start time of this connected device is “946080000”. This connection start time is indicated by the number of seconds passed on January 1, 1970 at 00:00:00.

In addition to this, the device name and product name of the connected device may be stored in association with the EUI-64 information 502. As will be described later, when notifying the user of the disconnection of the connected device, it is easier to make a notification using the device name or product name than to display using EUI-64. In the following embodiment, the connected device information includes device name information of the connected device, and the notification unit 415 described later uses the device name information. Shall be notified.

Returning to the description of FIG. 4, the disconnection information storage unit 413 stores disconnection information indicating the number of disconnections for each connected device connected to the connection IZF unit 411. Disconnection information also includes EUI-64 information of connected devices that have been connected so far, and information power indicating the number of disconnections of the connected devices.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the cutting information stored in the cutting information storage unit. In the illustrated example, EUI-64 information 601 and cutting count information 602 are stored. For example, the number of disconnections of connected devices in EU I-64 “0xl23456789ABCDEFF” is l. EUI—6 4 Information 601 stores EUI—64 of a connected device that has been connected so far. For this reason, the disconnection information increases as the number of connected devices that have been connected increases. In addition, the number of times of disconnection information 602 increases by one each time the connected device is disconnected.

Returning to the description of FIG. 4, the time measuring unit 414 measures time. Time is measured, for example, by measuring the number of seconds on January 1, 1970 at 00:00 and 0 seconds. The notification unit 415 notifies the user that the connected device has been disconnected using, for example, the display screen of the TV 301, sound, LED, or the like.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a disconnection notification display screen performed by the notification unit. On the display screen 701 of TV301, error display 702 is displayed stating “Connection to HDD recorder has been disconnected. Please check the connection”. In addition, the same content as the error display 702 may be output from the TV 301 and notified to the user. In this way, by notifying the user that the connection with the connection device has been disconnected, the connection state can be restored in the event of a disconnection unintended by the user, such as an unexpected accident. Here, “unintentional accident” refers to, for example, a cable or terminal being disconnected or poorly connected, or a failure of the connected device.

[0045] In the following embodiments, the user is notified only when the connected device is disconnected. However, the configuration may be such that the notification is similarly performed when the connected device is connected. Good. As a result, for example, when a connected device that has been powered off while being connected by the bus has been turned on due to an erroneous operation of the remote controller 305 or the like, a connection unintended by the user can be notified. [0046] (Processing procedure of connection notification device)

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of connection notification processing performed by the connection notification device. First, the CPU 410 determines whether a bus reset has occurred (step S801). In the IEE E1394 bus, a bus reset signal is generated when there is a change in the connection status of the connected device. The CPU 410 receives the bus reset signal and detects that a no reset has occurred.

When a bus reset occurs (step S801: Yes), the CPU 410 acquires EUI-64 information of the connected device connected (step S802). EUI-64 information is acquired by issuing an IEEE 1394 Asynchronous Read transaction to each connected device and reading the EUI-64 described in the Configuration ROM.

[0048] Then, the acquired EUI 64 information is compared with the EUI —64 information 502 stored in the connected device information storage unit 412 (step S803), and it is determined whether there is a disconnected connected device (step S804). ). The determination of whether there is a disconnected device is present in the connected device information in the connected device information storage unit 412 in the comparison in step S803, but not in the acquired EUI 64 information! In some cases, it is determined that the connected device specified by EUI-64 has been disconnected. Conversely, if there is EUI-64 that does not exist in the connected device information in the connected device information storage unit 412 and exists in the acquired EUI-64 information, the connected device specified by that EUI-64 is connected. Judge that

[0049] If there is no disconnected device (step S804: No), the processing according to this flowchart is terminated. The case where there is no disconnected device is when the connected device is newly connected or when a bus reset occurs due to electrical noise. At this time, the connected device information in the connected device information storage unit 412 is updated with the EUI-64 information acquired in step S802. For the connected device newly connected, the current time is acquired from the time measuring unit 414 and stored as the connection start time. In addition, for a connected device that is still connected, the connection start time in the connected device information is stored as a new connection start time.

[0050] On the other hand, if there is a disconnected connection device (step S804: Yes), it is determined whether the disconnection information stored in the disconnection information storage unit 413 includes the EUI-64 of the disconnected connection device. Judgment is made (step S805). If there is no connected device disconnected at this time The connected device information in the connected device information storage unit 412 is updated in the same manner as described above.

[0051] If EUI-64 of disconnected device is included (step S805: Yes), it is determined that the number of disconnection times of the disconnect information corresponding to the disconnected device is equal to or less than a predetermined number. (Step S806). Here, it is a disconnection intended by the user when a connection device that is frequently disconnected (that is, a connection device with a high number of disconnections) is disconnected. This is because the disconnection notification is not performed. The specified number may be arbitrarily set by the user. For example, it may be set for each connected device.

[0052] If the disconnected device EUI-64 is not included in step S805 (step S805: No), the disconnected device EUI-64 is added to the disconnection information (step S807). ), And proceeds to step S808. Disconnection information is added by adding 1 as disconnection count information to the disconnection information storage unit 413 together with EUI-64 information of the connected device that has been disconnected this time.

[0053] In step S806, if the number of cuts is equal to or less than a predetermined number (step S806:

(Yes), the notification unit 415 notifies the user of disconnection of the connected device (step S808), and the processing according to this flowchart ends. In step S808, the process of generating information related to the notification and outputting it to a display screen or an audio output unit (not shown) and the information related to the output notification are displayed on the display screen or audio output unit as video or audio. Includes output process. In the present embodiment, the TV 301 is a connection notification device. For example, a notification audio signal may be output to the portable audio player 304a, and the audio player 304a may output the audio signal for notification.

[0054] On the other hand, if the number of cuts is not less than a predetermined number! /, That is, if the number is not less than a predetermined number

(Step S806: No), the process according to this flowchart is terminated without notifying that the connected device is disconnected. Step S806: In both cases of Yes and No, 1 is added to the number-of-disconnections information corresponding to the disconnected connected device.

As described above, when the connected device is disconnected, the connection notification device 400 determines whether or not to perform a disconnect notification based on the number of disconnections of the disconnected device. This notifies you when a connected device that is frequently disconnected is removed. Therefore, the frequency of unnecessary notifications can be reduced.

[0056] In particular, in connection devices where connection devices are frequently attached and removed, a large number of disconnection notifications are made, so the user may not pay attention to the disconnection notifications. There are cases where it is not possible to cope with the case where recovery is required. In order to prevent this, the disconnection notification is performed only when necessary so that the disconnection notification can be effectively implemented.

[0057] Further, the bus reset signal and the EUI-64 of the device connected on the bus can be received by all the devices on the bus. For this reason, it is not only connected directly to the connection IZF part 411, but also connected indirectly via other connection cables and other devices. Even when connected, it is possible to obtain connected device information and disconnection information for all devices connected on the same bus, and to notify connection. For example, even devices that are connected via other devices (HDD recorder 302), such as TV 301 and portable audio player 304b shown in FIG. it can.

[0058] Furthermore, when the number of times of disconnection of a specific connected device reaches a certain number, the user may select whether or not to notify when the connected device is disconnected from the next time. As a result, even if it is a connected device that is frequently attached and removed, a disconnection notification can be made if necessary. In addition, by confirming whether or not to notify the user of disconnection, if the disconnection of a specific connected device frequently occurs due to an unintended cause of the user, the user can confirm the connection status of the connected device. You can give a sleet.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a selection screen for determining whether or not to perform disconnection notification. The illustrated example shows the display screen when the portable audio player 304 (see FIG. 3) with high disconnection frequency is removed. The display screen 901 of the TV 301 displays a message display 902, “Portable audio player is frequently disconnected. Do you want to be notified again and again?” The user selects whether or not to perform disconnection notification at the next and subsequent disconnections by pressing the “Yes” button 903a or the “,,” button 903b. [0060] When the "Yes" button 903a is pressed, the disconnection notification is also made when the portable audio player 304 is disconnected from the next time. On the other hand, when the “No” button 903b is pressed, the disconnection notification is not performed when the portable audio player 304 is disconnected next time. Although not shown in the figure, select the “No” button 903b once, and do not send a disconnect notification! / Provide a setting screen to set the disconnection notification again for the set connected device. Moh.

[0061] Furthermore, when there is a connected device with a long connection time, there is a high possibility that it is necessary to notify the user even if the number of disconnections increases cumulatively. For this reason, the value of the number of times of disconnection information of the disconnection information may be decreased every fixed connection time. For example, the processing shown in Fig. 10 is executed at regular intervals, such as every day at 0:00 (when the date is changed) or every Monday at 0:00, and the cutting frequency information is updated.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when updating the cutting number information. In the following description, the number of disconnections is updated when the date is changed. First, the CPU 410 determines whether the date has been changed based on the current time measured by the time measuring unit 414 (step S1001). When the date changes (step S1001: Yes), the CPU 410 compares the connection start time information of the connected device information storage unit 412 with the current time acquired from the time measuring unit 414 for each connected device (step S1002). . Then, it is determined whether a predetermined time or more has elapsed between the start of connection and the present time (step S1003). The predetermined time or longer is an arbitrary time such as one day or one week.

[0063] If the predetermined time or more has not elapsed (step S1003: No), the process proceeds to step S1006. If the predetermined time or more has elapsed (step S1003: Yes), it is determined whether the disconnection frequency information of the connected device is 1 or more (step S1004). This is done by determining the information corresponding to the EUI-64 of the connection target device to be determined from the number-of-cuts information stored in the disconnection information storage unit 413.

If the cutting number information is 1 or more (step S 1004: Yes), 1 is subtracted from the cutting number information in the cutting information storage unit 413 (step S1005). This will cumulatively increase the number of disconnections for connected devices with long connection times! It is possible to prevent the disconnection notification from being performed. On the other hand, if the cutting count information is less than 1, Step S 1004: No), it is judged whether the processing has been completed for all the connected devices (Step S 1006).

[0065] If the processing is completed for all the connected devices! / No (step S1006: No), the processing of steps S1002 to S1005 is repeated until all the connected devices are examined. When the process is completed for all connected devices (step S1006: Yes), the process according to this flowchart is terminated.

As described above, by updating the number-of-disconnection information based on the time when the connection has started and the power has elapsed, it is possible to perform a disconnection notification in accordance with the connection status of the connected device. In general, connected devices that have been connected for a long time are often disconnected due to unexpected situations such as cable deterioration, but when connected for a long time, the number of disconnections increases cumulatively. May have. In such a case, there is a possibility that the disconnection notification is unnecessary even though the disconnection notification is necessary. By processing the number of times of disconnection at an appropriate time by the process as shown in Fig. 10, an appropriate disconnection notification can be made.

[0067] As described above, according to the connection notification device 400 according to the first embodiment, when the connection device is disconnected, the disconnection notification is performed based on the number of disconnections of the disconnected device. Judge whether or not. As a result, when a connected device that is frequently disconnected is removed, notification is not performed, and the frequency of performing unnecessary notification can be reduced.

[0068] In particular, in devices where connection devices are frequently attached and detached, a large number of disconnect notifications are made, so the user may not pay attention to the disconnect notifications, and connection recovery such as an unexpected accident may occur. It may not be possible to deal with when necessary. In order to prevent this, the disconnection notification is performed only when necessary so that the disconnection notification can be effectively implemented.

[0069] In addition, when the number of disconnections of a specific connected device reaches a certain number, the connected device is frequently attached or removed by allowing the user to select whether or not to notify at the next disconnection. Even so, you can send a disconnect notification if necessary. Furthermore, by confirming whether or not to notify the user of disconnection, the user does not intend!特定 Certain connected devices are frequently disconnected due to the cause! / If you speak, The user can be given a chance to confirm the connection status of the connected device. Further, by updating the number of times of disconnection information based on the time when the connection has started and the power has elapsed, a disconnection notification according to the connection status of the connected device can be performed.

Example 2

[0070] In the connection notification device according to the first example, the number of disconnections for each connected device is stored, and if the disconnection frequency is high, the disconnection notification is not performed even if the connection is disconnected. In this way, when the number of disconnections is stored for each connected device, the number of connected devices that have been connected increases over time, so the amount of memory required to store disconnect information also increases. To do.

[0071] In the connection notification device according to the second embodiment, the number of disconnections for each connection terminal is stored, and in the case of a terminal with a high disconnection frequency, the disconnection notification is not performed even if the terminal is disconnected. Thus, by storing the disconnection frequency for each connection terminal having a fixed number, the required amount of memory can be made constant. In particular, the connection terminal may be used in a different form depending on the position provided on the connected device. For example, since the terminal provided on the front of the connected device is used for temporarily connecting other connected devices, the terminal provided on the back of the connected device that is frequently disconnected is connected to other connected devices that are always connected. The disconnection frequency is low because it is used for connection. In such a case, it is possible to prevent unnecessary disconnection notifications from being made by determining whether or not to perform disconnection notifications from the disconnection frequency of each terminal.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a hardware configuration of the connection notification apparatus according to the second embodiment. The connection notification device 1100 according to the second embodiment includes a CPU 1110, a connection 1 unit 1111, a terminal information storage unit 1112, a disconnection information storage unit 1113, a time measurement unit 1114, and a notification unit 1115. In addition, the connection IZF unit 1111 is an IEEE1394 terminal 1111 & 1111. have.

The connection notification device 1100 is provided in the TV 301 (see FIG. 3) as in the first embodiment, and the network configuration is the same as in FIG. In the following description, the description of the same configuration as the connection notification device 400 according to the first embodiment (see FIG. 4) is omitted.

[0074] Connection IZF part llll IEEE1394 terminal lll la to lll lc is IEEE1394 bus This terminal is used for physically connecting the TV 301 provided with the connection notification device 400 and other connected devices with an IE EE 1394 cable (not shown). The IEEE 1394 terminals lll la to lll lc are distinguished by being assigned terminal numbers 0, 1, and 2, respectively. The terminal information storage unit 1112 stores information related to the connection status of the IEEE1394 terminals 111 la to l 11 lc (hereinafter referred to as terminal information). The disconnection information storage unit 1113 stores information regarding the number of times the connected device has been disconnected for each terminal.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of terminal information stored in the terminal information storage unit. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the cutting information stored in the cutting information storage unit. The terminal information shown in FIG. 12 includes the terminal number information 1201 of the IEEE1394 terminals llll _{a to} llll _C , the connection status information 120 2 indicating whether the connected device is connected to each terminal, Consists of connection start time information 1203 indicating the connection start time of the connected device. In the example shown in the figure, a connected device is connected to the terminal with the terminal number “0”, and the connection start time is the time when 946080000 seconds have passed since January 1, 1970, 00:00:00. In addition, the connected device is not connected to the terminal with the terminal number “2”, and the connection start time information is blank.

Further, the disconnection information shown in FIG. 13 includes terminal number information 1301 for IEEE1394 terminals 1111 & 1111 and disconnection count information 1302 indicating the disconnection count of each terminal. In the example shown in the figure, the connection with the terminal number “0” is disconnected three times. The terminal information and the disconnection information have a fixed number of IEEE1394 terminals 111 la to L 11 lc! /, So the amount of data does not increase. In addition, store EUI-64 information of connected devices in the same way as in Example 1.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of connection notification processing performed by the connection notification device. First, the CPU 1110 determines whether a no reset has occurred (step S1401). When a no-reset occurs (step S1401: Yes), the CPU 1110 acquires pin information for each pin (step S1402). Then, the acquired terminal information is compared with the terminal information stored in the terminal information storage unit 1112 (step S1403), and it is determined whether there is a disconnected device (step S1404). At this time, the terminal whose connection status is changed from connected to disconnected is the terminal where the connected device is disconnected, and the terminal whose connected status is changed from disconnected to connected. A child is a terminal to which a connected device is newly connected.

If there is no disconnected device (step S 1404: No), the processing according to this flowchart is terminated. At this time, the terminal information stored in the terminal information storage unit 1112 is updated with the terminal information acquired in step S1402. Specifically, for a terminal to which a connected device is newly connected, the current time is acquired from the time measuring unit 1114 and stored as the connection start time. In addition, for a terminal that is still connected to the connection device, the connection start time of the terminal information is stored as a new connection start time.

[0079] On the other hand, if there is a disconnected terminal (step S 1404: Yes), the terminal information is updated in the same manner as when the connected device is disconnected, and then the number of disconnections corresponding to the disconnected terminal is predetermined. It is determined whether the number is less than or equal to the number (step S 1405). If the number of disconnections is less than or equal to the predetermined number (step S 1405: Yes), the notification unit 1115 notifies the user of disconnection of the connected device (step S 1406), and the process according to this flowchart ends.

[0080] On the other hand, if the number of times of cutting is not less than a predetermined number! /, That is, if the number is not less than a predetermined number,

(Step S1405: No), the process according to this flowchart is terminated without notifying that the connected device is disconnected. Step S1405: In both cases of Yes and No, 1 is added to the cutting frequency information corresponding to the disconnected terminal.

[0081] As described above, according to the connection notification device 1100 according to the second embodiment, an appropriate disconnection notification that does not increase the disconnection information can be performed even when the number of connected devices increases. I can. For example, the terminal provided on the front of the device is used for connection with a connection device that is temporarily connected and used, so the terminal provided on the back of the device that is frequently disconnected is used for connection with a connection device that is always connected. The cutting frequency is low because it is used. In such a case, it is possible to determine whether or not to notify disconnection based on the frequency of disconnection of each terminal, so that unnecessary disconnection notification is not performed.

Note that, in the connection notification device 1100 according to the second embodiment as well as the connection notification device 400 according to the first embodiment, when the number of disconnections of a specific terminal reaches a certain number, The user may be allowed to select whether or not to notify when the terminal is disconnected. In addition, the value of the number of times of disconnection information of the disconnection information is decreased every fixed connection time so that the disconnection notification is performed even if the number of disconnection times of the terminal with a long connection time increases cumulatively. You can do it.

The connection notification method described in this embodiment can be realized by executing a prepared program on a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation. This program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, and a DVD, and is executed when the recording medium force is also read by the computer. In addition, this program may be a transmission medium that can be distributed via a network such as the Internet.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] A device that is externally connected to a connection unit via a network or a detecting means that detects a change in the connection state of the network;

Determining means for determining whether to perform notification corresponding to the change in the connection state based on the number of changes in the connection state detected by the detection means;

Based on the determination result by the determination means, notification information output means for outputting information on notification corresponding to the change in the connection state;

A connection notification device comprising:

[2] The connection notification device according to claim 1, further comprising notification means for performing notification corresponding to a change in the connection state based on information output from the notification information output means.

[3] The notification information output means outputs information for performing notification corresponding to the change in the connection state to a device externally connected via the network,

2. The connection notification device according to claim 1, wherein a device externally connected via the network performs notification corresponding to the change in the connection state based on information output from the notification information output unit. .

[4] An identification unit that identifies the device connected to the network for each device is provided, and the detection unit detects a change in a connection state for each device identified by the identification unit,

2. The determination unit according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines whether to perform notification corresponding to the change in the connection state based on the number of changes in the connection state for each device detected by the detection unit. The connection notification device described in 1.

[5] The connection portion includes a plurality of connection terminals,

The detection means detects a change in the connection state of the device for each of the plurality of connection terminals, and the determination means counts the number of changes in the connection state of the device for each of the plurality of connection terminals detected by the detection means. 2. The connection notification device according to claim 1, wherein a determination is made as to whether or not notification corresponding to the change in the connection state is to be performed based on the information.

[6] When the number of changes in the connection state exceeds a predetermined value, the determination means The connection notification device according to claim 1, wherein it is determined that notification corresponding to a change in connection state is not performed.

[7] The determination means may cause the user to select whether or not to perform notification corresponding to the change in the connection state when the number of changes in the connection state exceeds a predetermined value. The connection notification device according to 1.

[8] The apparatus includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire an elapsed time after the device is connected to the connection unit via the network.

The determination unit determines whether or not to perform notification corresponding to the change in the connection state based on the elapsed time acquired by the acquisition unit and the number of changes in the connection state. The connection notification device according to Item 1.

[9] The determination means responds to the change in the connection state if the elapsed time acquired by the acquisition means is greater than or equal to a predetermined number even when the number of changes in the connection state is equal to or greater than a predetermined number. 9. The connection notification device according to claim 8, wherein it is determined that the notification is performed.

10. The connection notification device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the connection unit and the network conform to the IEEE1394 standard and are detachable from each other.

[11] A detection step of detecting a change in a connection state of a device or the network externally connected to a connection unit via a network;

A determination step of determining whether to perform notification corresponding to the change in the connection state based on the number of changes in the connection state detected by the detection step;

Based on the determination result by the determination step, a notification information output step for outputting information regarding notification corresponding to the change in the connection state;

A connection notification method comprising:

[12] A connection notification program for causing a computer to execute the connection notification method according to claim 11.

[13] A computer-readable recording medium on which the connection notification program according to claim 12 is recorded.